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11th out of 85 books
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67 voters
The Winged Watchman (Living History Library)
This acclaimed story of World War II is rich in suspense, characterization, plot and spiritual truth. Every element of occupied Holland is united in a story of courage and hope: a hidden Jewish child, an "underdiver," a downed RAF pilot, an imaginative, daring underground hero, and the small things of family life which surprisingly carry on in the midst of oppression. The...more
Paperback, 191 pages
Published
April 1st 1997
by Bethlehem Books
(first published 1963)
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A Nerd Christmas present from Shannon this year, yay!
It's a really sweet and short historical novel. Joris is such a sweet protagonist. I like books where children have extremely strong feelings. Everything with his pets is the best. The scene where the Nazis are taking people's dogs away, ARE YOU SERIOUS. Of course it is serious, but oh gosh the tears. And, anything in which "puppies are born" figures into the plot is good for at least one extra star.
The setting is pretty cool, allowing for an...more
It's a really sweet and short historical novel. Joris is such a sweet protagonist. I like books where children have extremely strong feelings. Everything with his pets is the best. The scene where the Nazis are taking people's dogs away, ARE YOU SERIOUS. Of course it is serious, but oh gosh the tears. And, anything in which "puppies are born" figures into the plot is good for at least one extra star.
The setting is pretty cool, allowing for an...more
This is viewed by many as Hilda van Stockum's best book, dealing with the difficult topic of evil in the Third Reich in a way that reaches children with creating trauma. Two miller's sons in occupied Holland discover that a schoolmate has become a traitor, so they decide to intensify their support of the Resistance and outwit him. There is a downed RAF pilot that they rescue, and at the climax there is a weapons drop. The story gets in most of the important aspects of the occupation and the lang...more
This is actually more like four and a half stars.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys children's literature. Set during the Nazi occupation of Holland, it's serious but uplifting. Hilda Van Stockum seems to know exactly the right amount of explanation to give, laying the foundation for important ideas but leaving room for kids to do some of the thinking themselves.
My only complaint is that the character Trixie felt a bit false to me. It surprised me because all of the other childr...more
I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys children's literature. Set during the Nazi occupation of Holland, it's serious but uplifting. Hilda Van Stockum seems to know exactly the right amount of explanation to give, laying the foundation for important ideas but leaving room for kids to do some of the thinking themselves.
My only complaint is that the character Trixie felt a bit false to me. It surprised me because all of the other childr...more
Amazing book! I love how this story, even though it’s in the midst of horrible war and oppression, still has an unshakable core of goodness to it. I find that in a lot of van Stockum’s work and I love her for it. Her philosophical and religious insights are so well woven into the story, and incredibly thought-provoking. The author has a real gift for bringing humanity and light to event the darkest of times. I definitely had tears in my eyes towards the end. I would highly recommend this!
Another example of a children's book that I can't believe I never read sooner. An amazing, touching story about a Dutch family in World War II, dealing with the terrible hardships but also finding so much joy and opportunities for bravery and kindness. A very emotional read. I especially appreciated this book as a vehicle for important discussions with my kids about civil disobedience, truth, hardship, and faith.
This is a great children's book about the people of Holland during World War II, and one family in particular. It was especially interesting to me since my father-in-law came to the U.S. from Holland as a young boy, shortly after the time period in which this book took place. I learned much about the people and their way of life as well as enjoying some great historical fiction!
A historical fiction that takes place among the windmills of Holland during World War II. It was moving but heartwarming. It was written for children, so it was light on the horrors of war, but still very realistic. How do you avoid bitterness amidst overwhelming evil? Wonderful view of family life in another culture and another time.
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Thw Winged Watchman by Hildavan Stockum is an excellent book!
A family living in a windmill survives the war, gradually adding people hiding from the Nazis.
Perfect for children , helping them to live out the experience of being invaded that so many countries suffered in wartime.
A family living in a windmill survives the war, gradually adding people hiding from the Nazis.
Perfect for children , helping them to live out the experience of being invaded that so many countries suffered in wartime.
Historical fiction for kids...a charming, realistic book about World War II in the Netherlands. The story is about a Dutch family's involvement with the Dutch Resistence. Van Stockum's captivating and descriptive writing encases you in the culture, emotion and landscape.
Jun 13, 2012
Alicia
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone who likes touching ww2 adventures
Recommended to Alicia by:
deborah fishburn
I read this to my children while living in Germany (7 years ago)and I just reread it to 11-year-old Josh (who didn't remember it). This is one of my favorite children's WW2 books ever (along with Snow Treasure). I love how this book helps us "experience" the last year of the war through the eyes of a 10-year-old Dutch boy: the hunger, the traitorous landwatchers, the resistance fighters, and the ordinary people who risk their lives to help others. My children don't enjoy my sobbing as I read the...more
A very good book on WWII in Holland. Gives a good view of Dutch life on the canals and around the windmills. Really enjoyed the relationship between the various family members and members in the community. My children loved it as well.
I read this with my 11 year old son and we really enjoyed it. I had never thought about Holland during WWII and so it was very educational as well as inspiring. I hope I would be as generous and brave during such difficult times.
I read this book when I was a young girl, and it was one of my favorites. I am giving it 5 stars from my young girls viewpoint. I am going to re read this one, and see what it is that made such an impact on me.
Shows great examples of courage and sacrifice and ingenuity. A wonderful way for children to learn about this virtues. A living book that takes one into the heart of WWII Holland, viewed through the eyes of a child.
About a family struggling to survive in Chicago. (1906) Sinclair gave a stomach-turning account of the way meat was handled in the Chicago slaughterhouse. Very sickening at times but so true.
My favorite childhood book, read numerous times in grade school. This was the first book I read related to the war and I was hooked.
This was a story based in Holland during WWll. A great example of a family growing stronger thru adversity
This was a wonderful historical fiction told threw the eyes of a child. When learning about WWII, we often don't hear about countries, like Holland, who suffered brutally under the German occupation.
I loved this story about brave Eurpoean patriots during the war. Inspiring and fun.
The Hail Mary..."Mary. Mary, quite contrary..." Cutest line in this wonderful book!
Meg and Rylie read this recently as part of Rylie's 4th grade history curriculum and they liked it so much they passed it on to me. It is about a boy and his family in Nazi occupied Holland and I agree it was quite good and most young readers should enjoy it.
Highly recommend this one! We are studying WWII and it has been a great look into the war from the eyes of a Dutch family in German occupied Holland. When my boys ask to keep a "school book", I know it is especially good!
This book is set in world war two. It was FULL of adventure
Exciting YA story about WWII occupied Holland. Set in rural Holland, this follows the Verhagen family as they navigate the difficulties of the war. Learn about landwatchers, rationing, windmills, polders & dikes, Underground resistance, etc. Full of heart and a good amount of suspense.
Lovely. Reminded me of other family-centered stories in times of adversity, such as Snow Treasure, or the All-of-a-Kind Family stories.
This is a touching story told from a child's viewpoint during the German occupation of Holland in World War II. I read this aloud to my children (ages 13, 11, and 9). We were drawn into the story as if we were part of their family. We felt fearful and then courageous, apprehensive and then compassionate, shocked and then tearful, hungry and then grateful. This story teaches timeless values like compassion, bravery and patriotism through the courageous examples of mother, father, uncle and neighb...more
SM
Very interesting but a bit over our heads. We may have to revisit this one in several years.
Current lunchtime read read aloud!
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Born February 9, 1908, in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Hilda van Stockum was a noted author, illustrator and painter, whose work has won the Newbery Honor and the National Conference of Christians and Jews Brotherhood Award. She was also a charter member of the Children's Book Guild and the only person to have served as its president for two consecutive terms.
Van Stockum was raised partly in Ireland, a...more
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Van Stockum was raised partly in Ireland, a...more
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“In the camp we saw our own people kill each other over a crust of bread. In the old days I used to think that religion did not matter much, that people could be good without it. That was not true in the camps. If you had no hope or faith to keep you human, you sank to the lowest depths. I'll practice my religion more faithfully now.”
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Oct 13, 2011 11:19am